2 Corinthians 6:1-2 ”We then, as workers together with him (Jesus), beseech you also that ye receive not the
grace of God in vain. 2 (For he
saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I
succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of
salvation.)
Chapter 6
is a continuation of the teaching in chapter 5:18-21. In 5:18 we are told that God, hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. In 5:19 God, committed
unto us the word of reconciliation, and in 5:20 it says, we are
ambassadors for Christ. Chapter 5 ends with a great verse describing how we
are reconciled to God through the imputed righteousness of God for all those
found in him (Christ).
2
Corinthians 6:1 says, We then, as workers
together with him (Jesus), beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of
God in vain. This is a weighty and sobering exhortation from the apostle to
not receive the grace of God in vain, in other words, our receiving grace and
reconciliation from God is not only for our benefit, but for the benefit of
others as well. God has a bigger purpose for you than simply sitting back and
enjoying the amazing free gift of eternal life. He has called all of His
children, man, woman, boy and girl to extend His loving invitation of
everlasting life to the whole world. What an honor it is to be called of God
for such an important mission, and not only that, but we have the privilege of
working together with God as He is drawing sinners to Himself through us and
through His Word.
Matthew
28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them,
saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.19 Go ye therefore,
and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I
have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the
world. Amen.
This
command to go is to all of us, we know this because Christ’s message of
salvation would have ceased with the last apostle if were only for them. Also,
the inspired apostle Paul is telling us again of our great commission to preach
the gospel. In verse 2 Paul then quotes from part of Isaiah 49:8 Thus saith the Lord, In an acceptable time
have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee, and he
adds, behold, now is the accepted time;
behold, now is the day of salvation. We are being reminded of the urgency
of our message. Part of that holy message is a warning that the wrath of God is
abiding on the unsaved, John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting
life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of
God abideth on him. We are not
promised tomorrow and the day and
time to place all one’s trust in Jesus Christ’s finished work is now. James 4:14Whereas ye know
not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, thatappeareth
for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
God is
calling us to make the most of each precious day, to warn sinners of the coming
judgment and to show them the way of salvation. Otherwise, if we lack the
compassion and boldness from the Holy Spirit to do so, we have received the
grace of God in vain. It is not the Holy Spirit who is failing, it is us, when
we are not walking in close fellowship with God. God’s Word is inspired and
empowered by the Spirit, but if we are not also filled with the Spirit we will
be lacking the boldness and charity needed to proclaim the Word with power.
1
Corinthians 2:1 And I, brethren, when I
came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto
you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save
Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in
much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing
words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men,
but in the power of God.
1 John
2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him
verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so
to walk, even as he walked.
Of
course, this isn’t the only way we can receive the grace of God in vain. Next
week we will examine the following verses 3-10 to see how we must approve
ourselves as servants of God, that the
ministry be not blamed.
God’s
power and love is manifest in us when we walk in Him, keeping His Word, and when
we believe in the power of His Word!
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